Process of decarbonizing steel



UNITED STATES PATENT OFFI E.

WILLIS K. TOPLEY, OF SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, PENNSYLVANIA.

PROCESS OF DECARBONIZING STEEL.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 528,214, dated 0ctober30,1894. Application filed August 28, 1 894- Serial No. 521,548. (No specimens.)

To all whom it may concern: 7

Be it known that I, WILLIS K. TOPLEY, a citizen of the United States, residing at South Williamsport,in the county of Lycoming and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Process for Decarbonizing Steel, of which. the following is a specification.

My invention relates to a process for decarbonizing steel rails, plates,&c., in order that old steel may be utilized for the purpose of making nail-plate, bar, guide-iron, &c.

In connection with the improved process I employ a bath containing two parts of vinegar to one part of coal-oil,one part of tallow, and one part of saltpeter.

The steel after being heated is placed in a tank or vat containing the above described compound and is allowed to remain therein from ten to twelve hours, after which it is again heated, is placed in sand while in a heated condition to exclude the air, and is allowed to cool slowly to render it soft and pliable. The vinegar and saltpeter penetrate the steel and serve as means for introducing the coal-oil and tallow,which soften the structure of the metal, after which the heating to which it is subjected burns out the carbon, the coal oil and tallow in the pores of the metal serving to increase the heat and hence the eificiency of this step in the process.

It will be understood that while the proportions of the ingredients of the bath, as above set forth, are preferable, and while I have found such proportions to be efiective for the purpose described, I do not desire to be limited to the precise proportions stated, for the reason that slight variations therein may be adopted without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of my invention.

Having described my invention, what I claim is- 1. Aprocess of decarbonizing steel, consisting in subjecting the same while in a heated condition to the action of a bath containing an acid for penetrating the structure of the metal and an oil for softening the same; subsequently applying heat to remove the carbon; and finally, placing the metal while hot in sand to exclude the air, substantially as specified.

2. A process of decarbonizing steel, consisting in subjecting the same while in a heated condition to a bath containing vinegar, coaloil, tallow, and saltpeter in substantially the proportions specified; subsequently heating the metal to remove the carbon; and finally placing the same while hot in sand, to exclude the air, substantially as specified.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

WILLIS K. TOPLEY.

Witnesses;

FRANK BYERs, ISAAC N. DE PUGH. 

